Here are a few excerpts from Peter C. Whybrow’s book American Mania: When More Is Not Enough
“If as Americans we are to enjoy the benefits of the Fast New World and to avoid its pitfalls, we must first control the mania that it induces. We live in a culture in which our acquisitive cravings have been promoted beyond our needs, and the demand and strain, which that craving now inflicts on mind and body, are beginning to exceed the flexibility inherent in our biological heritage.”
“—we have accumulated a mountain of personal debt. This debt, which in a time of diminished economic activity is increasingly difficult to service, now burdens the average American family and helps drive our treadmill-like existence.”
These are the suggestions from his book and on his website called T.O.M. Rules. Check it out at American Mania
RULE #1
TIME IS KEY: IT’S YOURS, SO USE IT WISELY
Scheduling isn’t what is important. Making every moment meaningful is the goal. Time is finite and should be cherished, protected and “invested” wisely. Setting priorities and making choices consistant with your purpose helps to plant the seeds for geuine personal and family happiness.
RULE #2
YOU’RE THE BOSS. MAKE TECHNOLOGY WORK FOR YOU, NOT VICE-VERSA
Technology is a two edged sword. It has the power to overload and addict us. The average American is targeted with 3,000 advertising messages a day. It takes diligent practice and support to succeed at holding back these unwanted intrusions into our lives. Technology can be a valuable tool when used to serve our genuine priorities and goals.
RULE #3
TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR APPETITE FOR FOOD. EAT RESPONSIBLY, PREFERABLY WITH FRIENDS
We evolved genetically from environments where food was scarse. There are few natural constraints to eating. We receive weak signals to say that we are full, especially when we gobble down our meals. The answer is to eat slowly in the company of others. Be sure to be aware of the quality of what you are eating and savor your meal.
RULE #4
HONOR YOUR BODY
We have been told that multitasking is desirable in our turbo charged culture. The process of switching back and forth rapidly from one thing to another is exhausting and can even be dangerous, in the car for example. Stick to one activity at a time and put your full attention on one thing at a time whenever possible.
In our busy, sedentary lives, exercise gets neglected. Try to put new activities into your schedule, like walking during breaks at work with your coworkers, taking the stairs. Plan your day around your gym schedule.
Be realistic when deciding your daily schedule. Allow for traffic jams and enjoy some music while you wait. Try not to overschedule family activities and allow for “serendipity” time to interact spontaneously. Interacting with the real world, in real time, with real people in your life is the best way to break the mania cycle.
Don’t substitute frenzied activity
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
There's a great forward circulating right now written by George Carlin on the occasion of his wife's death. It is very much "on topic" with what the author of "American Mania: When More Is Not Enough" talks about; Whybrow actually excerpts Carlin's piece in his book. Here it is in its entirety:
By George Carlin (his wife recently died...). Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - gross and mouthy comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent:
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.
Remember, spend some time with your loved ones because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
George Carlin
i love that- we need to be reminded of the simple happiness that comes from a nod, a smile, a hug. i'm glad to see that george carlin has embraced life in the face of the death of his beloved wife.
Post a Comment